Wakayama in Half a Day: Stay at Okunoin & Stay at Garan　 — Guide Yuki

March, 2025

This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.

Tour Itinerary

  • 10:50　Meeting point　　　　Kaseda Station
  • 10:50～11:50　Travel to Koyasan by customer's rental car
  • 11:50～12:30　Lunch (Miyama)
  • 12:30～13:50　Stay at Okunoin
  • 14:00～14:40　Stay at Kongobuji Temple
  • 14:50～15:20　Stay at Garan　
  • 15:30　Disband at the parking lot

Tour Itinerary in Detail

The tour started at 10:50 at Kaseda Station and ended at 15:30. The day ran to 4 hours and 40 minutes from start to finish. It included lunch (Miyama) at 11:50.

Over the course of the day the route took in Travel to Koyasan by customer's rental car at 10:50, Stay at Okunoin at 12:30, Stay at Kongobuji Temple at 14:00 and Stay at Garan　 at 14:50.

What Is a Private Day Tour of Koyasan Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

The guests came by rental car, so we met at Kaseda Station. (This was quite a bit earlier than the original schedule.) We checked the route to Koyasan on the station map and drove up the mountain. Passing by the Daimon Gate, we entered the town of Koyasan and first headed to a restaurant. At Okunoin, we parked at the Nakanohashi parking area and walked the short course. The guests seemed to enjoy photography and were frequently taking shots with a single-lens reflex camera. They found the graves of modern companies interesting, but the moss-covered old graves and the path lined with Koya cedar were especially beautiful, so they took many photographs. There was no more snow on Koyasan, and today it was 9 to 10 degrees, warm and with fine weather, making it a very pleasant day. After seeing the sliding-door paintings and the old kitchen at Kongobuji, we visited the Garan complex last. On the way back, since the guests were staying at a mountain lodge at the foot of Koyasan and wanted to descend before it got dark, I saw them off at the parking area and we parted ways.

Click here for more details: Mt. Koya Sacred Sites Half-Day Tour with Licensed Guide

Tour Report by Yuki

Hi! I’m an official English guide in Wakayama prefecture. I’m also a national guide as well. I’d like to expand my guide area to help tourists.
The town of Osaka offers a different atmosphere than Tokyo. I like both exciting Osaka and nature-filled Wakayama Prefecture.
If you stay in Osaka for 3 days, you can go to Koyasan for one day, or even for a day trip, so I recommend sightseeing at Koyasan.
If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city, the nature of Koyasan will relax you.
I will introduce you to the unique culture, history and must-see sights.

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